Awarded: £5,000

Propagate and partners are developing the Lochhill Agroecology Demonstration Farm, part of the Regenerative Farming Network, in Galloway, South West Scotland. The aim of the Demonstration Farm is to become a place for learning about net zero, climate and nature friendly farming, soil health, sustainable land use, local and circular food systems, health and nutrition, and more. During this development phase, the project will create a Holistic Whole Farm Assessment to measure and monitor soil and biodiversity health and scope future enterprises, and an Action Plan to provide a specific route-map for achieving net zero through on-farm and local supply chain innovations.

 Key findings

• Lochhill is a small farm rich in natural capital. Extensive network of hedges and woodland with a wide range of benefits including habitat, wildlife and carbon sequestration and in creating sub-division for improved pasture management and water course boundaries for habitat areas and minimising diffuse pollution.
• The Public Goods Tool has highlighted several areas of opportunity for improvement in the journey towards net zero. It is however noted that many of these will be addressed through successful establishment of the proposed future enterprises (eg social capital, food security, farm resilience) and land management.
• Livestock grazing management is highlighted as the next big opportunity to further promote pasture species diversity, wildlife, soil structure and health. Further actions to promote nature and benefit specific species outlined by Malcolm Haddow of SWSEIC should be considered.

Further activity

• Work with local specialist organisations to develop habitat management plans to enhance and restore the diverse habitats on the farm. 
• Deliver the education programme during 2025, working with community organisations, schools, colleges and farmers. 
• Continue to record and review data on soil health, biodiversity and public goods going forward to track the impact of proposed enterprises, practices and land management and continue to identify opportunities for improvement for net zero.